An incredibly smooth skater, he moves effortlessly all over the ice. Has great instincts for the blueline position and displays all-around potential. Makes few mistakes with or without the puck. Boasts a good frame to grow into.

Flaws:

Needs to add more bulk, strength and become a greater physical presence in his own end in order to maximize his massive potential. Also needs work on his slap shot from the point, which he's still timid at using often.

Career Potential:

Excellent puck-moving defenseman with great upside.

Career Honors & Awards

League

Honor

Description

Olympic

Olympic Silver Medal

2014 (Sweden)

Movements & Injuries

2014

1/08/2014

Missed 2 games (upper body injury).

1/04/2014

Upper body injury, day-to-day.

2013

3/15/2013

Signed by the Phoenix Coyotes to a six-year contract extension.

1/11/2013

Recalled from Portland (AHL).

2012

9/15/2012

Assigned to Portland (AHL).

2011

4/12/2011

Recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

3/31/2011

Assigned to San Antonio (AHL).

2010

12/18/2010

Recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

12/16/2010

Assigned to San Antonio (AHL).

12/07/2010

Recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

11/24/2010

Assigned to San Antonio (AHL).

11/23/2010

Recalled from San Antonio (AHL).

11/12/2010

Assigned to San Antonio (AHL).

5/24/2010

Signed by the Phoenix Coyotes to a three-year entry-level contract.

Career Transactions

2009

6/26/2009

Drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1st round (6th overall) in 2009.

Ekman-Larsson has two goals and three points in his last two games. That brings him up to 15 goals and 29 assists in 77 contests in 2013-14.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scores in loss to NYR | 03/24/2014 10:23 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson registered his 13th goal of the season Monday, but the Coyotes dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the Rangers.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

His 13th tally ties his career-high, set in the 2011-12 season, and gets him to the 40-point mark for the first time as an NHLer. Jeff Halpern and Kyle Chipchura also scored for the Desert Dogs in the defeat.

OEL adds to career year in loss to Boston | 03/23/2014 8:25 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored a goal for Phoenix in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Boston.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

With 27 assists and 39 points on the season, Ekman-Larsson has already established career bests while his 12 goals are one shy of the 13 he amassed in the 2011-12 campaign. Shane Doan also found the back of the net for Phoenix in the losing effort.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson gets two points Thursday | 03/07/2014 10:38 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a goal and an assist in Phoenix's 5-2 win on Thursday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

That puts Ekman-Larsson is a three-way tie for 17th place among defenseman in the scoring race. He has 10 goals and 34 points in 61 games this season.

With that, Ekman-Larsson has reached the 30-point mark for the second time in three seasons. He should also exceed his single season career-high of 32 points in the not too distant future.

Ekman-Larsson in Swedish coach's doghouse | 02/21/2014 7:44 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson was benched for the entirety of Sweden's 2-1 semifinal win over Finland on Friday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

It's really hard to fathom why Swedish coach Per Marts has such a distaste for the young, talented defenseman. Marts also left Ekman-Larsson off of his 2009 World Juniors team. Ekman-Larsson is Phoenix's go-to blueliner, averaging 25:41 of ice time per game with 29 points in 56 games. But in the Olympics, he's averaged just over 10 minutes per game in the Olympics. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya, Niklas Kronwall, Erik Karlsson and even Jonathan Ericsson are above Ekman-Larsson in the depth chart, though the 22 year-old has managed to tally three points in his limited ice time in Sochi.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson getting chippier | 02/03/2014 9:05 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is adding a new element to his game: chippiness.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

The ultra-talented defenseman is only 22 and has multiple Norris Trophies in his future if he is not hurt by an Eastern bias. He played amazingly well against the Penguins on Saturday, shutting down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Opponents have tried to be more aggressive with Ekman-Larsson but he is not backing down. "I think maybe they're frustrated by him because he's so good," coach Dave Tippett said. "And it's not just with the puck. He defends very well. When you're a guy trying to have success against a guy and it's not happening, it's a little frustrating." OEL has eight goals and 29 points this season and is averaging 25:36 minutes of ice time per game.

Ekman-Larsson leads Coyotes to win | 01/29/2014 2:48 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored two goals and the Coyotes opened a five-game homestand by beating the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 Tuesday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

It was his first points in his last six games. He now has eight goals and 20 assists in 51 games this season. Antoine Vermette also scored for the Coyotes and he now has seven goals in his past seven games and four in the past two. Lauri Korpikoski extended his point streak to a career-high five games with an assist, while Mikkel Boedker added two helpers in the victory.

Ekman-Larsson rides four-game point streak | 01/17/2014 10:00 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is on a four-game point streak.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson had an assist in Phoenix's 1-0 win over Vancouver on Thursday. He has six goals and 26 points in 45 contests in 2013-14.

OEL scores lone goal for Coyotes in loss | 01/13/2014 10:48 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the only goal for the Coyotes in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Jets Monday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Last year was believed by many to be his true breakout season, but the Swedish blue liner has taken another step forward in 2013-14, having now amassed 24 points in 43 games. Mikkel Boedker and Shane Doan drew assists on the power play marker.

Ekman-Larsson gets big minutes in return | 01/10/2014 10:12 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson logged a team-high 26:22 minutes in his return from an upper-body injury.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson was out for two games due to the ailment. He also had a minus-one rating and four shots on goal in Phoenix's 4-1 defeat against the Minnesota Wild.

Coyotes glad to get OEL back vs. Minnesota | 01/09/2014 6:37 PM

News

Just a reminder that Oliver Ekman-Larsson will return from his upper-body injury Thursday night.

NHL.com

Impact

He sat out two games with an upper-body injury following a hit from behind by Columbus' Derek MacKenzie. "We missed his smarts and puck movement and he will bring some energy. He's a top player for us," coach Dave Tippett said. "It was interesting in practice [Wednesday], it looked like the rest has done him some good. He has a lot of energy and you could tell before the injury that it was down a little bit. We rely on that a lot." Don't forget to get him back in your lineup.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be back Thursday | 01/08/2014 4:06 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (upper body) is healthy enough to play Thursday.

Coyotes.nhl.com on Twitter

Impact

Ekman-Larsson missed two games due to the ailment. The 22-year-old defenseman has four goals and 22 points in 40 games in 2013-14, putting him on track to best his previous career-high of 32 points.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson sits out Saturday | 01/05/2014 9:47 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (upper body) sat out Saturday's game.

NHL.com

Impact

This was no surprise as he was taken into the boards pretty hard on Thursday by Derek MacKenzie of the Blue Jackets, a hit that cost MacKenzie a three game suspension. Consider Ekman-Larsson day-to-day for now.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson questionable Saturday | 01/04/2014 8:08 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (upper body) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Flyers.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson was rattled against the boards Thursday by Derek MacKenzie and was unable to return and the hit resulted in MacKenzie getting a three game suspension. It's likely that Ekman-Larsson will sit this one out but he still could be a game-time decision. Stay tuned as Ekman-Larsson is the Coyotes best defenseman.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson exits Thursday's game | 01/03/2014 9:07 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Thursday's game with an upper-body injury.

Pro Hockey Talk

Impact

Ekman-Larsson was hurt when Columbus' Derek MacKenzie hit him into the boards from behind during the first period. The severity of the injury isn't known, this is a potentially major blow to Phoenix. He has four goals and 22 points in 40 games this season.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson ends point drought | 12/29/2013 10:48 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson had an assist in Phoenix's 3-2 overtime loss to Anaheim.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

That snapped Ekman-Larsson's six-game point drought. He has four goals and 22 points in 38 games this season, which puts him in a tie for 12th place in the defensemen scoring race.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson picks up helper | 12/01/2013 8:09 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson picked up his 14th assist of the season on Saturday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The blueliner is one of the best in the NHL and he now has 18 points and a plus-seven rating in 26 games. He should be in someone's lineup in all fantasy pools with the exception of an enforcer or goaltender pool.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson triggers Phoenix win | 11/13/2013 12:59 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson starred for the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday in their 3-2 OT win against the St. Louis Blues.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

"OEL" scored an assist and the game-winning goal, giving him 15 points in 19 games played this season. The talented Swede has four points in hist last three games.

Coyotes have highest-scoring defense | 11/02/2013 11:13 AM

News

The Coyotes' defense has recorded a league-high 12 goals and 40 points.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle are tied for first among defensemen with 11 points. Derek Morris has a league-best four goals for a blueliner. "It shows what kind of talent we have on the back end, but it's credit to the forwards, too," goalie Mike Smith said. "I think we're getting a lot more goals in front of the net from tipped shots, rebounds, stuff like that, where in the past it seemed like we got on the outside a lot more."

Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads Coyotes over Oil | 10/26/2013 6:05 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson recorded three points, including the game-winning goal, to lead Phoenix to a 5-4 triumph over Edmonton on Saturday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

He assisted on Keith Yandle's power-play goal to tie the game just after the midway mark of the third period and then netted the game winner on another Coyotes power play moments later. Ekman-Larsson also picked up a helper on Martin Hanzal's fifth marker of the year. He has nine points in 11 games this season. Radim Vrbata chipped in with three assists in the match, while Yandle finished with two points.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scores PHX's GWG | 10/11/2013 10:06 PM

News

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the game-winning goal as the 'Yotes squeaked by the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Friday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

OEL has a respectable three points and four PIM in five games played, with his 14 SOG being a nice sign that he could have some value in peripheral categories. It's odd that he went without a SOG in just over 25 minutes against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, though. Derek Morris and Mike Ribeiro (primary assist each) continued some hot streaks while Martin Hanzal got his fourth helper of the season.

He had been suffering from an upper-body ailment, but it didn't result in him missing any games. Keep him in your lineup for Tuesday's contest against the New York Islanders.

Ekman-Larsson is day-to-day with UBI | 10/07/2013 3:14 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Sarah McLellan on Twitter

Impact

He should be considered questionable to play Tuesday against the New York Islanders at this time. Ekman-Larsson has one goal, one assist, seven shots and a plus-2 rating in two games this year.

Ekman-Larsson scores but it's not enough | 10/06/2013 1:33 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored in the Coyotes' 4-1 loss to the Sharks on Saturday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The 22-year-old is one of the emerging young stars on defense. He recorded 24 points last season and should put up around 40 this year, while being even more valuable on the ice for Phoenix. Zbynek Michalek had the assist on the marker.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson arrives at camp | 09/14/2013 6:19 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has joined his teammates for training camp.

Dave Vest on Twitter

Impact

He skated Saturday after missing the beginning of camp because his immigration papers weren't ready.

Ekman-Larsson misses camp start, upsets GM | 09/11/2013 6:20 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed the first day of the Phoenix Coyotes' training camp because he didn't have his immigration papers ready in time.

NHL.com

Impact

"I'm not happy about it," Coyotes GM Don Maloney said. "It's something that players are required to take care of and (his actions) shows a lack of getting after it. He's always in great shape and he's an important guy. But we have 57 players here and we're supposed to have 58 and there's no excuse for it." It will probably take a few days before Ekman-Larsson is able to show up and he might end up getting fined for his actions. He's entering the first season of his six-year/$33 million contract.

Report: Coyotes GM Maloney close to extension | 05/23/2013 8:41 PM

News

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney is close to finishing a new contract extension, according to Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Maloney's current deal expires this offseason but he and the NHL, which owns the team, are nearly done with a new one. Maloney has been the Coyotes' general manager since 2007, helping guide the team to three playoff berths in the last four years without an owner. McLellan says there's no word on when exactly the two sides want to get this done by. Coach Dave Tippett also has a contract that expires this summer.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson played with foot injury | 04/30/2013 11:46 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson played through a foot injury the final month of the season.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson didn't miss a game despite the injury, but he won't be playing for Sweden in the upcoming world championships. It was another strong season for Ekman-Larsson, who registered three goals and 24 points to go along with a plus-5 rating and 26 penalty minutes. He should be pretty high on the list of fantasy defensemen entering next season.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson hurt on Saturday | 04/22/2013 9:59 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson suffered an undisclosed injury Saturday but is expected to be in the Coyotes lineup Monday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson only played a few shifts in the third period and did not see the ice in the overtime as the Coyotes won in a shootout. "He got nicked up a little bit late in the game, and he didn't play the last part of the third period," coach Dave Tippett said. "But it looks like he'll be fine."

With a big new contract and impressive progress made in his third NHL season, the 21-year old Swede is a legitimate fantasy force with 21 points so far in 2013. Don't forget that although Ekman-Larsson can produce points, hits and log a lot of minutes, he needs to improve on his consistency as has yet to establish himself in the same top tier as defensemen such as his teammate Keith Yandle.

Coyotes, Ekman-Larsson have preliminary talks | 03/14/2013 10:24 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's camp and the Phoenix Coyotes have had some preliminary talks regarding a contract extension.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. His entry-level contract comes with a $1.75 million cap hit and that should increase given his performance thus far. He broke out with 32 points last season and has 17 points in 26 contests in 2013. "We'll pay on performance. We have no problem," Coyotes GM Don Maloney said. "But we won't pay on potential. In Oliver's case, he's having a terrific season. He's somebody we expect to sign at some point and hopefully for a long time."

D Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads Coyotes to win | 03/05/2013 1:01 AM

News

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson recorded two assists in regulation time and delivered a nifty shootout goal to lead the Coyotes to an exciting 5-4 victory over the visiting Anaheim Ducks in Phoenix Monday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Matthew Lombardi added a goal and an assist for the Coyotes. Shane Doan, Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle also scored goals for the Coyotes.

Ekman-Larsson now has 13 points in 20 games in 2013. He hasn't slowed down after his breakout 32-point campaign last season and should continue to rank among the leaders in points among defensemen.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson sets new career high | 01/24/2013 2:32 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's three-point output sets a new career high for the budding offensive defenseman.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

That production helped the Phoenix Coyotes earn a 5-1 win against the over-matched Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. "OEL" had a goal and two assists. If you're fortunate enough to be a league where he's inexplicably available, run - don't walk - to the waiver wire and pick him up.

Ekman-Larsson feels better after foot injury | 01/09/2013 12:28 PM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is feeling better after being hit in the foot by the puck during an AHL game.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson missed some playing time in the minors as a result, but he should be fine for the start of the Phoenix Coyotes' training camp. Ekman-Larsson had seven goals and 21 points in 20 AHL games and he's a good candidate to get off to a hot start in the shortened season.

Doctors checking out D Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 01/08/2013 11:04 AM

News

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is en route from the American Hockey League to Phoenix to have an injury checked out by team doctors, Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Ekman-Larsson took a puck off the foot and had been out for the past few games. The bone bruise isn't pegged to be too serious. "He probably could be playing, but we said, `At this stage, let's get him back,'" Maloney said. "Let's get our own people look at him and make sure he's 100 percent, and why risk it?"